Four-Year Follow-Up Study of Dental Caries in 2-Year-Old Thai Children

Objective: This study examined the development of dental caries in primary teeth over four years. Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out among preschool children in a non-fluoridated area of Kranuan district, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Children were examined at baseline when they were 2 years of age and followed-up for four years (n=341). Two calibrated dentists performed dental caries examinations using the WHO criteria. Results: The prevalence of dental caries at baseline was 56.0% and increased to 83.6% after four years. The mean numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) and surface (dmfs) at baseline were 2.4±2.9 and 5.4±7.2, respectively. The number increased to 5.2±4.4 for dmft and 10.1±10.0 for dmfs at the follow-up period. Children with caries at baseline had a significantly higher mean dmfs (13.2±10.6) and posterior dmfs (7.5±8.3) at follow-up compared to the caries-free group (6.0±7.4 and 3.5±5.7, respectively). After four years, the dmfs score in children who had caries with pulp involvement or dentinal caries at baseline was four and three times greater, respectively, than that in the caries-free group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Dental caries status in 2-year-old children can identify those children who will be at the greatest risk for future caries development. Supported by Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University.